The field is the sole governing agency of the particle. ~ Albert Einstein What A Human Sees I recently came across the following definition of a particle—a riff, perhaps, on the more well-known Einstein quote—which I’m liking quite a lot: A particle is what a human being sees, when they look at a field. So far as I call tell, this definition accords with recent research in quantum field …
Science & Spirit
Ceaselessly Musing
A Noiseless Patient Spider A noiseless patient spider, I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated, Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding, It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself, Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them. And you O my soul where you stand, Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space, Ceaselessly musing, …
Practice Notes: Emulsion
I love a good tossed salad—especially during the summer months! Fresh greens, an assortment of chopped or grated veggies, some cheese nicely diced, all tossed with a vinaigrette and a sprinkle of raisins, pecans and/or chia seeds. Yum! If I’m in a hurry or just feeling a bit lazy, the “vinaigrette” part of this recipe is simplified to a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar, …
Perception, Reality, Fitness: Practice Notes
Skate On a sunny winter morning several years ago, I was riding with a friend through some winding mountain roads. Coming around a hairpin turn, we hit a patch of black ice, went into a tailspin, slid across the opposite lane, and took out a half-dozen or so fence posts before the trunk of a towering pine tree brought our wild skate to a thudding halt. The good news is that—though the car was …
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Gödel’s Kōan
Just finished reading the 2001 edition of Gödel's Proof by Ernest Nagel and James Newman, edited by Douglas Hofstadter. This is an excellent introduction to Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem, written in mostly non-technical language—which means that you don't have to be a professional mathematician to (at least mostly) understand it. Though still a challenging read, I'd say it's well worth the …
Couch Of Leaves: Reflections On Power
The Tao can't be perceived. Smaller than an electron, it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and women could remain centered in the Tao, all things would be in harmony. The world would become a paradise. All people would be at peace, and the law would be written in their hearts. When you have names and forms, know that they are provisional. When you have institutions, know …